“A musher races with his dogs during a sled dog European Championship in Venek, Hungary on November 22, 2014.” [Yahoo!News]

As a former Alaska Resident who has been at the beginning and finish lines of two major North American Sled Dog Races–the Yukon Quest International, and the Iditarod Trail–it brings a smile to my face to see the elated faces of these Siberian Huskies.

Both Musher and dogs are tougher than I. And to this day, I remain in awe of those who have the courage, mental fortitude, and physical stamina to participate in these grueling and potentially dangerous contests.

(The Alaska races have stringent rules regarding safeguarding the health, safety and care of sled dogs, with many veterinarian checkpoints/checkups throughout the course of the race.)

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Barabas, Dearly Missed

In Remembrance Of ‘Barabas The Brave’

"There was a trough of bodily fluids and maggots, and whenever he shook his head, maggots would fly out.

And he was so hungry that he would actually eat the maggots that flew off--and bits of his ear, like the cartilage and everything, were flying off, as well.

He was in a very poor condition--it was very understandable that he was in a lot of pain."

--Dr I-Lynn, Attending Veterinarian

They named him 'Barabas the Brave'--the dog with an unbreakable spirit.

His story is that of a cruelly neglected and abused dog who spent his first twelve years in hellish conditions. That is, until his owners finally surrendered him to a rescue organization to be euthanized, or disposed of like a piece of garbage.

Fortunately, his rescuers came to recognize Barabas' strong will to live.

And expeditiously, a dedicated team of veterinarians, volunteer rescue workers, and the President of "Save Our Street Dogs" (SOSD) began the long process of treating his severe malnutrition, maggot wounds, and the chronic ear infection which left him with a malformed ear canal--giving Barabas the 'Second Chance' that he wanted, and so richly deserved.

In addition to these "long unattended to" medical issues, some time in the past, he had clearly suffered an untreated sternum fracture. The fracture appeared to have resulted from him having been violently kicked in the chest, leaving his chest plate forever deformed.

Barabas received intensive medical care for many months, spending almost two years in the loving care of the rescue organization, "Save Our Street Dogs."

Eight of those months were spent in the personal care of the President of SOSD, Dr. Sieh Tuck Wah, a medical doctor. This included the last month or so of Barabas' life, when he was no longer able to walk due to his severely painful and debilitating arthritic condition, and was returned to Dr. Wah's home so that he could once again receive very intensive and specialized medical care.

"He never found a forever home, but he was loved by all at SOSD." . . . There he was able "to live his remaining days out in dignity and comfort. . . . Barabas departed in the embrace of love."

He died peacefully on June 9 , 2014, at the age of 14.

[Quote above is an excerpt from the SOSD Instagram account.]

*******

This is the story of one dog's "fierce fight, and will to live."

Through it all, Barabas unfailingly demonstrated raw courage in the face of tremendous pain, continually drawing upon a deep reservoir of resilience as he faced new medical challenges.

His ability to harness these traits when needed, not only transformed his life, but also profoundly affected the lives of the many wonderful SOSD volunteers and medical staff who worked so diligently to heal him.

It is the awe-inspiring story of the restoration of one dog's spirit--brought about, in part, by the enduring and healing power of love.

It is 'the Legacy of Barabas.'

*******

My heartfelt thanks to the dedicated medical staff and many rescue workers who "saved" Barabas, giving him the opportunity to live out his last years in a wonderful, safe, and loving environment.

Special mention of Dr. Song I-Lynn, Dr. Christopher Tham, and all the Staff of Jireh Veterinary Clinic for the excellent veterinary care they provided Barabas.

Thanks to Ms. Uma Kr for her assistance rescuing Barabas.

Also, a very special thanks to the President of "Save Our Street Dogs," Dr. Siew Tuck Wah, for his ongoing leadership, commitment, and generous contribution of his medical expertise to the cause of rescuing and caring for Singapore's homeless stray dogs.

And lastly, thanks to all of the kind, compassionate, and dedicated professional and volunteer SOSD personnel who showered Barabas with the most precious gift of all--the gift of love.

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Favorite Quotes

"The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those who have not got it."
----George Bernard Shaw
Irish Dramatist & Socialist (1856-1950)

"If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.”
----Will Rogers, Actor & Social Commentator

"Love makes you stronger, so that you can reach out and become involved with life in ways you dared not risk alone."
----Author Unknown, SOSD Website

"Every time I lose a dog, he takes a piece of my heart. Every new dog gifts me with a piece of his. Someday, my heart will be total dog, and maybe then I will be just as generous, loving, and forgiving."
----Author Unknown

"Courage is fear that has said its prayers."
----Dorothy Bernard

"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart."
----Helen Keller

"Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have the exact measure of the injustice and wrong which will be imposed on them."
----Frederick Douglass, Social Reformer, Orator, Writer, and Statesman

"I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me they are the role model for being alive."
----Gilda Radner, Comedienne